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Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs

Instant Pot Steamed Crab legs are so juicy and tender, absolutely delicious. If you have seafood lovers in your family that love Crab legs, you can now easily satisfy their cravings by cooking crab legs at home in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Crab Legs Steamed

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These Instant Pot Crab Legs were made while on vacation. It can get really expensive ordering them at restaurants so make them yourself in the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs

If you are headed to the beach be sure to take your Instant Pot with you. It's a quick and easy way to cook up some delicious seafood and you can serve them with your favorite side dishes.

See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

Instant Pot Crab Legs with butter

How To Make Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs

You'll need 3 clusters of fresh crab legs or thawed crab legs if using frozen.

Crab legs uncooked

Get your Instant Pot, steaming rack and one cup of water ready.

Instant Pot and Steaming Rack

Insert steaming rack into your instant pot and pour in one cup of water.

Steaming rack in Instant Pot

Add fresh or thawed crab legs to the Instant pot. I have not tried them from frozen yet but Cara was kind enough to comment below that she pressure cooked them from frozen for 4 minutes and they were perfect. Thank you Cara!

Uncooked Crab Legs in Instant Pot

Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent. Next, press the “manual” button and set the time to 2 minutes. It usually takes 10 minutes to come to pressure and begin cooking.

Once the instant pot beeps, quick release the pressure. Use tongs to remove the crab legs.

Serve with melted butter and sliced lemons.

Recipe Tips

  • If you want to add seasoning to the crab legs try Old Bay seasoning.
  • To get all the meat out of each leg use crab crackers or nutcrackers to make it a lot easier.
  • Avoid overcooking the crab legs or they will become tough and rubbery.
  • These are great served with fresh shrimp, potatoes, sausage, and corn.
Steamed crab legs Instant Pot

Cooking Crab legs in the Instant Pot is so easy and they cook to perfection! They steam perfectly in the Instant Pot. So much better than boiling them.

Be sure and try our other delicious Instant Pot Recipes! A few of our favorites is this Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast, Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers and Instant Pot Apple BBQ Ribs.

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Steamed Crab Legs

Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs

Author: Judy Wilson
If you have seafood lovers in your family that love Crab legs, now you can easily satisfy their cravings by cooking crab legs at home in the Instant Pot. So easy and so delicious!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 3 clusters fresh crab legs
  • 1 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Insert steaming rack into your Instant Pot.
  • Pour in one cup of water.
  • Add fresh or thawed crab legs (if using frozen) to the pot.
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal the vent.
  • Press the manual button, select high pressure and set the time to 2 minutes.
  • Once the Instant Pot beeps, carefully quick release the pressure.
  • Once pressure is released you can remove the lid.
  • Use tongs to remove the crab legs to serving dish.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Serve with melted butter and sliced lemons.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should only be used as a general guideline. It is an estimate that will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Did You Make This Recipe? Please Rate, Comment & Share. Thank you!
Instant Pot Steamed Crab Legs
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)
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Recipe Rating




Rosalyn Magby

Tuesday 10th of November 2020

Love this!!!! Used the 4 min method with the frozen legs and man oh man. Flavorful without any butter or seasoning. Thanks for the recipe.

Don Bruns

Wednesday 14th of October 2020

We, always add old bay and it just adds that little extra.

Chris

Thursday 6th of February 2020

Hey have you tried to add old bay seasoning to the water Just curious how it would turn out.

Judy

Tuesday 18th of February 2020

Hi Chris. I haven't tried adding seasoning to the water so I'm not sure.

Ashley

Saturday 17th of November 2018

So, it doesn’t take but less than a few mins to make?

Judy

Sunday 18th of November 2018

That's right. That is what I love about the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking is fast and everything I have cooked in my has been so good!

Cheryl

Monday 8th of October 2018

What about the corn, shrimp, potatoes and sausage? Can I IP those, too? Separate from the crab legs, I’m guessing?

Judy

Saturday 13th of October 2018

Yes you could. It would be easy to do in the Instant Pot!

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